Proteína Tax (HTLV-I), probable factor patogénico y marcador del síndrome sicca que se asocia a HAM/TSP

• Luis Cartier R ^[1] ; Carmen Vergara R ^[1] ; Eugenio Ramírez V ^[2]
  1. [1] Universidad de Chile

     Universidad de Chile

     Santiago, Chile

     
  2. [2] Instituto de Salud Pública Sección de Virología
• Localización: Revista Médica de Chile, ISSN-e 0034-9887, Vol. 133, Nº. 10, 2005, págs. 1183-1190
• Idioma: español
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Viral Tax protein expression in salivary glands of patients infected with human t-cell lymphotropic virus type I and Sicca Syndrome
• Enlaces
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• Resumen

  • Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is a retrovirus that influences cellular metabolism modifying biological responses. This results in oncogenic, degenerative or inflammatory changes. The myelopathy associated to HTLV-I or tropical spastic paraparesia (HAM/TSP) is a mainly degenerative response to the virus infection. On the other hand, Sjögren syndrome has an inflammatory appearance. The immunohistochemical study of CD-4, CD-8 and CD45 lymphocytes, metalloproteinase MMP-9 and viral Tax protein in pathological samples of salivary glands may help to differentiate primary from viral Sicca syndrome. Aim: To perform an immunohistochemical study of salivary glands of patients with HAM/TSP and Sicca syndrome and control subjects. Material and Methods: Pathological samples of salivary glands from 53 patients with HAM/TSP and Sicca syndrome and 10 control subjects, were studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against CD-4, CD-8 and CD-45 lymphocytes, metalloproteinase MMP-9 and viral Tax protein. Results: Only in patients with HAM/TSP and Sicca syndrome, the presence of Tax protein was observed in CD-4 and CD-8 lymphocytes and in glandular acini. Conclusions: Patients infected with HTLV-I express Tax protein in salivary glands. This finding has diagnostic and pathogenic implications (Rev Méd Chile 2005; 133: 1183-90)